Kings victory parade: Behind the scenes

June 15, 2012

Updated Aug. 21, 2013 1:17 p.m.

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Fans lined Figueroa Street bright and early to see the L.A. Kings during Thursday's victory parade. Click on the photo for a behind-the-scenes look at the party on Figueroa. GREG WOODSON, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, LAUREN GIUDICE, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Media trucks line Chick Hearn Court to prepare for the Kings Stanley Cup victory parade and rally Thursday. The Kings went 16-4 in the playoffs, with the final victory coming Monday against the New Jersey Devils. KELSIE HENEGHAN, KELSIE HENEGHAN -OC REGISTER

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Mike Gomes, 33, of Cerritos holds up a sign he created for the parade Thursday. Gomes has been a fan since 1991 and requested the day off from work to come out and enjoy the parade with the rest of the Kings fans. KELSIE HENEGHAN, GREG WOODSON, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Tyler Rubin and Brittany Maldonado made signs to support the Stanley Cup Champions. They were joined by Cory Rubin (center). "I think it's incredible to see the passion," said forward Kevin Westgarth. "I think there's been a lot of passion and a great fanbase here for a lot of years but when you start bringing championships home, that definitely helps build things for sure." LAUREN GIUDICE, LAUREN GIUDICE, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Greg Tsipkis, 36, of Anaheim, holds his souvenir trophy over his head as he celebrates at the Kings Championship Parade Thursday. Tsipkis has been a Kings fan since he moved to the United States. “I been a fan since '92 when I came to this country from Russia and been die hard since. '07 was one of my worst summers of my life, and I think 2012 is going to be the best summer of my life,” GREG WOODSON, GREG WOODSON, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Die-hard Kings fans Christian Allen, 23, of Gardena, and Sean Tierney, 25, of Hacienda Heights, pose with their souvenir Stanley Cup. Christina Ishibashi, 36, of Culver City (far right) and Sammi Toia, 18, of Westchester held up a sign at the Championship Parade Thursday. Allen said the Championship means a lot to him and the city of Los Angeles while comparing the outcome of the parade to that of the Ducks in 2007. “For me, being the age I am it means a lot, especially seeing other teams win it in other cities and having that experience,” Allen said. “Of course for Los Angeles, you know like people have mentioned that this franchise has been around for 45 years. They've had a lot of other chances and they just weren't successful, and I think the fact that it took us 45 years it's more bittersweet. '' “Let's put it this way, we made the Stanley Cup championship more legit than Anaheim did five years ago. Let's put it this way, they had like 5,000 people in their parking lot, we got a freaking parade going between 5th and Figueroa all the way down here. They're probably expecting more than a couple 100,000 people coming down here. To all the Ducks fans out there, look at what we got. Go Kings.” KELSIE HENEGHAN, GREG WOODSON, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Fans, like Joshua Lason (center), made signs in preparation for Thursday's festivities. He, Eddie (right) and Karen (left) Garcia eagerly awaited the Kings' arrival. The parade began at 12:30 and fans lined the streets to wave to the Stanley Cup Champions LAUREN GIUDICE, LAUREN GIUDICE, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Nelly Carrillo, 26, of Anaheim (left) and Mariver Hernandez, 28, of Tustin showed their support for the Kings at the parade on Thursday. Carrillo said it's tough being a Kings fan from Anaheim but she loves it. “It started back like a few years ago, just a friend got me into it, brought me to my first Kings game, and I just liked them from that day,” Carrillo said. Carrillo said she gets hassled by her friends for being a Kings fan, especially since she's an Angels fan but does not care because she's connected to the team. KELSIE HENEGHAN, GREG WOODSON, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Robert Ryan from Northridge came to the parade with his wife, Debbie (center) and sister-in-law, Irene Eason (left). He has been a Kings fan for close to thirty years and said being in Staples on Monday night was “pure joy.” “It's kind of like what the players say,” Ryan said. “They say there's no way to explain it. It's true. You're sitting there watching them and you stay with them and you go through all the good times and the bad times and then all of a sudden we're here.” KELSIE HENEGHAN, LAUREN GIUDICE, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Fans crowded outside of Staples Center to support the the Kings who won the Stanley Cup for the first time in franchise history. Defenseman Willie Mitchell said the time he spent on the parade route gave him time to reflect on the team's accomplishment. "You're basically waving the whole time and it's too loud to talk, so it sort of allows you to reflect then. So it was pretty cool reflecting on it then and getting caught up in the moment and just enjoying it," Mitchell said. "It was one of those bucket list things." KELSIE HENEGHAN, LAUREN GIUDICE, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Long-time Kings fan Steven Fordham, 44, of Santa Clarita, enjoys a moment with his wife Wendy, 42, at the parade while waiting for the players to load up onto the buses for their victory lap. Fordham has been a Kings fan since his high school days when it was only $5 for student seats at the Forum. “We sat back there and had a good time. It wasn't always that much fun, but we had a good time going anyway.” Fordham, shown in the picture with his 10-year-old rally monkey that he created himself over time, attended every game of the Stanley Cup Finals. KELSIE HENEGHAN, GREG WOODSON, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Fans and police officers prepare for the buses arrival at the Staples Center. The Kings, coaches and other Kings officials rode buses to celebrate their Stanley Cup Championship. Over 18,000 fans entered Staples Center for the rally Thursday. GREG WOODSON, LAUREN GIUDICE, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Fox Sports radio host Pat O'Brien (right) joined fans for a picture in front of the Magic Johnson Statue in front of Staples Center. Even the Johnson statue was wearing a Kings jersey on Thursday. KELSIE KENEGHAN, LAUREN GIUDICE, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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David Gabrielyan, 25, of Tujunga, has been a Kings fan since a child and showed his support for the team at the parade with his custom shirt and haircut. “Man I think it's the most amazing thing right now. At least it's like one of the happiest moments of my life,” said Gabrielyan, about the championship. “Being a Kings fan ever since I was 7 you know, watching Gretzky in '93 was heartbreaking. So I remember actually that day I ran to my closet and started crying. So now when they win I always remember that day and like where it is now.” KELSIE HENEGHAN, GREG WOODSON, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Marian Carroll and her daughter Arianna cheered on the kings with a sign that Arianna made. Fans of all ages attended the parade and celebrated the Kings winning a championship after 45 years. "The support has been unbelievable and you guys have waited a long long time for this day and I hope you guys are enjoying it as much as we are," said Kings captain Dustin Brown during the rally. KELSIE HENEGHAN, LAUREN GIUDICE, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Players lift the Stanley Cup as silver and black confetti falls to the ground. "It's been such a blur for all of us and one heck of a party," said forward Willie Mitchell. KELSIE HENEGHAN, LAUREN GIUDICE, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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The Kings' mascot, Bailey, kept fans cheering after the buses went by. "Speaking on behalf of the players we just love seeing the support and being able to do this for you guys," said forward Dustin Penner at the rally. "We know you've waited a long time and thanks for everything. We'll see you next year and hopefully we'll be right back here." During the rally head coach Darryl Sutter spoke about his emotions as the game on Monday was coming to an end. "Just seeing the [looks] on their faces is something I'll remember for the rest of my life,'' Sutter said. LAUREN GIUDICE, LAUREN GIUDICE, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Kings forward Anze Kopitar lifts the Cup as fans cheer. Kopitar scored eight goals and had 12 assists during the playoffs. "It's too much fun not to win it again so let's go get it," Kopitar said during the rally. LAUREN GIUDICE, LAUREN GIUDICE, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Police officers line the parade route on bicycles, segways, horses and on foot, but Head Coach Darryl Sutter hoped they would not be necessary. "It's an incredible day and event, enjoy it, and stay out of trouble," Sutter said. KELSIE HENEGHAN, KELSIE HENEGHAN -OC REGISTER

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Playoff MVP Jonathan Quick spoke to the media during Thursday's festivities. He brought out the Conn Smythe Trophy for fans to see during the rally inside of Staples Center. He allowed only seven goals during the Stanley Cup Finals. "To see this 18,000 here, you guys have been unbelievable," Quick said. "I can't thank you enough. The team can't thank you enough." LAUREN GIUDICE, LAUREN GIUDICE, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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King's defenseman Willie Mitchell spoke to the media on Thursday. "It's hard to do and there's a lot of things that have to go right to make it happen," Mitchell said. "I think the young guys understood that and appreciate that." Mitchell, who is 35, said being an older player has helped him appreciate winning the Cup more. "You want to do it while you're a big part of it and I don't want to do it when I'm sitting in and out of the lineup," Mitchell said. "When you're playing a lot of minutes it's a lot of fun." KELSIE HENEGHAN, LAUREN GIUDICE, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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The players posed with the Stanley Cup on the ice for fans to take pictures. Dustin Penner, Drew Doughty, Matt Greene, Anze Kopitar, Dustin Brown and Jonathan Quick gave speeches during the rally, thanking fans for their support. "I look behind me and I don't see a team, I see a bunch of champions and that's pretty cool," said Captain Dustin Brown. LAUREN GIUDICE, LAUREN GIUDICE, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Fans lined Figueroa Street bright and early to see the L.A. Kings during Thursday's victory parade. Click on the photo for a behind-the-scenes look at the party on Figueroa.GREG WOODSON, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, LAUREN GIUDICE, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

BY LAUREN GUIDICE, KELSIE HENEGHAN AND GREG WOODSON / FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

The Queen song "We Are the Champions" boomed in and around Staples Center on Thursday as the Los Angeles Kings celebrated winning the Stanley Cup.

Kings fans came from near and far for the victory parade down Figueroa Street and the rally inside Staples Center. Even the L.A. City Council joined the celebration.

"I drank a beer with Quickie (goalkeeper Jonathan Quick) on the float and I will keep that can for the rest of my life," Councilman Herb Wesson said.

Players and fans have been celebrating since Monday, when the Kings beat the New Jersey Devils to win the best-of-seven series 4-2. General Manager Dean Lombardi cheered so much this past week that he lost his voice and couldn't speak at the rally.

The Kings impressive postseason run began with a 4-1 series victory of the Vancouver Canucks and they never looked back. The Kings then swept the St. Louis Blues and defeated the Phoenix Coyotes in five games. The final obstacle they faced was the New Jersey Devils. The Devils forced a Game 6 at home, but the Kings prevailed and sealed their fate with a 6-1 victory at Staples Center.

"I think there's finally some tradition and history with the LA Kings," defenseman Willie Mitchell said. "We brought the LA Kings to a new level and new expectations for peers who will follow after us. That's huge to be a part of that."

This was a record-breaking run for the Kings. They were the first team in playoff history to start each series with a 3-0 lead, they were the first No. 8 seed to win the Stanley Cup and they were the first team to start the playoffs with a 10-0 road record.

Though the parade and rally are over, fans can take comfort in the fact that the names of their favorite players will be etched on the Stanley Cup forever.

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